Customer Reviews

Pathophysiology of Renal Disease

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4 star:		(3)
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This book can be considered complimentary to more physiologic books about the acid-base/electrolite balance books about renal system. Author describes all pathologies with related test procedures and values. Provides pointers for what to look and what not to mix with. Overall very good introductory book in the subject of renal pathology.

This book is far and away the clearest and most insightful book on kidney disease. The organization is exceptional, not so much the organization of chapters as the organization of thought that is clear throughout the book. Each disease is explained in a perfect context, making it clear how it's similar to but different from others (a great antidote to complains that renal diseases "all look the same and all get steroids anyway". Well, maybe only an antidote to the first claim...). It explains the tools available and ways to assess kidney disease at just the right level of depth--everything that a clinician would need to know, but not details better suited for pathology textbooks. It's about twice as long as it's successor (Renal Pathophysiology: The Essentials) but ten times as insightful.

The curious aspect of reading this book is that it's now 20 years old. In some ways, it's prophetic (such as the value of angiotensin blockade), but in other ways, even the pathophysiology discussion is outdated (no mention of E. coli O157:H7 in the section on hemolytic-uremic syndrome). The discussions of therapy are obsolete, but therapy isn't a major part of a book like this anyway. Even though the brilliance can't be beat, the book is outdated enough that it probably can't be used as a single source on kidney disease, so has to serve as a second book for an especially motivated student. An updated edition would get six stars.

This is a comprehensive and thorough guide in the land of acid base and electrolites. Great for the ones who wish to understand the renal functions. This book will take you all the way through Medicine rounds and exams.